In the forming, or founding, of any martial art there must be a central concept. Meaning, it needs to be more that just a hodge podge mixture of disjoined techniques. There has to be a reason for the style. This "Core Element" should be conceptual in nature. The greatest masters of history have all recognized this, from Gichin Funakoshi, to Bruce Lee and John Pellegrini. All of them have known that there needs to be a purpose for the art. While the "Core Element" can be as simple as providing effective self defense, or a better way of teaching students, it must go much deeper. To the point of making the world a better place. At least leaving your small part of the planet better than how you found it.
Much thought and reflection has been devoted to these principles with the founding of Yeon Oh Kwan, or Synergy Tae Kwon Do. It was quickly realized that the central theme of the style was just the surface. Deep below, in the root, there is a desire to take these principles and theories to empower students, instructors and masters not just in martial arts, but in everyday life. Once the central element is internalized, everything just flows and "is." It is circular in philosophy.
The word Synergy literally means "greater than the sum of it's parts." Similar to 1+1=3. A deep concept. Incidentally, it is closely related to the chaos theory. The way this is applied to martial arts, specifically tae kwon do, is quite interesting.
For years Tae Kwon Do has been moving away from the Art and toward the sport aspect of training. Some would say away from the "Do" or "Tao". The primary influence for this last generation has been tournament play and competition. Hence the inclusion of Tae Kwon Do in the Olympic Games in 1988, which has been celebrated the world over. However, with the main focus on the point system, the Art, or "Heart", of Tae Kwon Do is missing.
It is the goal of Yeon Oh Kwan, or Synergy Tae Kwon Do, to move decidedly back in the direction of the Art form of Tae Kwon Do. To this aim we have developed an interesting way of approaching it.
We believe that by following a pattern of "circular learning" we can truly make 1+1=3. This grouping of techniques is compounded with mental and philosophical development. Everything we practice then is designed to enhance, or re-teach, what we have already learned. From development of new forms and kata, to self-defense techniques, weapons, and sparring. Everything points back to the central "circle", or "core element", philosophy in the style.
Please note, the term Synergy does not exist in the Orient in this connotation. After exhaustive research, three Chinese characters, translated into Korean, fit the best. The first is Yeon, meaning to have diligence, patience or practice. The second is Oh, meaning to finish, have completion or harvest. The third is Kwan, meaning school, style or house. So these three characters together form Yeon Oh Kwan. To be truly understood they must be translated with a parable.
Imagine a man plants a tree. He first tills the ground, and digs the hole. Then he must plant a seed, then water, and feed the seed. He makes sure it is provided sunlight. This is 1, offered by the man. Only then the seed begins its job of growing. It uses the nutrients in the ground and the water provided by the rain. For years it reaches for the sun. This also is 1, provided by the tree. When the tree is mature it produces an apple. All of the life that is in the tree and all of the hard work provided by the man exist in this apple, but this still only equals 2. Man and tree together. Then the man eats the apple, and it becomes part of him. It nourishes him and strengthens him to continue his work. This is 3. 1+1=3. This is the concept of Synergy, Yeon Oh Kwan.
This is the goal we have for our students. We will do our part, and they must do theirs and eventually they will achieve this state of martial arts awareness and ability.